Deadlift bar apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A deadlift device includes a cylindrical shaft attached to a base with a selectable weight. Horizontal channels in the shaft have a main horizontal through hole with a downwardly extending keyhole slot extension with beveled edges, so that portions of one or more resistance bands may be routed through the keyhole slots and used with minimal wear. A removable Y-lift bar with right and left hand vertical upper portion and diagonal lower portion which may be attached at any of the channels. An alternative removable short horizontal bar may be inserted at at any of the channels to permit kettlebell swing exercises. The device may be used effectively with a range of lift and walking exercises using the deadlift device with added weights and/or one or more resistance bands.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. non-provisional application is a continuation in part of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/386,312 filed by applicant on Dec. 21,2016, which is related to US Provisional Application No. 62/383,220filed by applicant on Sep. 2, 2016, and claims the benefit of thatprovisional application filing date.

BACKGROUND—FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The current invention relates to an improved weight lifting device, andmore particularly to an improved deadlift device and method of use.

BACKGROUND—PRIOR ART

The deadlift is a key exercise in strength and conditioning programs.There are several deadlift variations, classifiable by the type ofbarbell used; and the technique used (sumo, conventional, stiff-legged,Romanian). The deadlift involves greater upper lumbar erector spinaemuscle activity, but less lower lumbar erector spinae muscle activitythan the back squat. It involves similar abdominal muscle activity tothe back squat, side plank and superman exercises. Deadlifts work thebutt, upper thighs, hamstrings, lower back, upper middle back, traps,and gives a kind of “fullness” in the chest. The deadlift is in factconsidered by many fitness professionals to be the king of exercises forexpending great amounts of energy and wasting calories.

The deadlift is considered to have many benefits:

-   1. Fat Burning Lift: Lifting weights and resistance training,    especially with a full body exercise like deadlifting, will burn    more fat than just dieting or dieting with cardio exercise alone.-   2. Works The Most Muscles In The Body: The Deadlift works more    muscles than any other exercise, including the squat. The lift    engages all of the major muscle groups. The Deadlift works your    lower and upper body, including your back muscles.-   3. Real Life Lift: The Deadlift develops the muscles you need to    actually carry something in real life situations; whether on the    playing field, or in everyday life.-   4. It's Safe: When performed with good form, the deadlift is one of    the safest weightlifting exercises.-   5. Increased Cardio: The deadlift increases cardiovascular ability,    due to all of the muscles involved in performing the lift.-   6. Improves Posture: Deadlifting increases your core strength and    adds to core stability, according to Robson. Deadlifting targets all    of the muscles responsible for your posture and enables you to keep    your back straighter during regular daily activities.-   7. Increases/Improves Athletic Performance: Every athlete can    improve at almost every dimension of their sport by including    deadlifting into their workout regime.-   8. Great Lift for Pregnant Women: It has been scientifically proven    that women can deliver a baby easier by having control of the    creation of intraabdominal pressure, a strong pelvic floor, and can    survive the rigours of delivery with fewer soft tissue injuries; by    having a strong deadlift prior to third trimester.-   10. Great For People With Back Injuries and/or Preventing Back    Injuries: The ability to develop strength and stability through the    lumbar spinal muscles is one of the primary factors in preventing    lumbar discogenic issues, as it helps buffer shear forces the disc    is exposed to; which if left unchecked could result in a bulge,    herniation, or even spondylolisthesis. Deadlifts build the strength    and stability of lumbar spinal muscles.-   11. Prevents Many Other Injuries: When performed properly/correctly,    The Deadlift can help prevent injuries by increasing the strength of    your muscles around critical tendons and—ligaments. Supporting    joints with strong muscles is crucial to preventing injury,    especially in the hamstrings and lower back.-   12. Great For Sculpting The Body: Great glutes and legs can be built    by deadlifting. The deadlift is an excellent glute, hamstring, and    quad builder exercise. It not only sculpts the lower body, but also    sculpts the core, back, arms, shoulders, and traps as well.

A deadlift, whether it is sumo style, conventional style, or Romanianstyle, is hard to perform with proper form. This lift can cause the userserious injury if not performed properly, due to all the steps needed toensure the lift is done correctly.

Using a straight barbell to perform the deadlift can be too big andheavy for new lifters. Also, when using a straight barbell correctly forthe deadlift; it can result in scraping the skin off the shins andthighs of the lifters.

Prior art patents and published applications show a variety ofresistance training devices:

U.S. Patent D653,715 to Tumminia (FIG. 1) shows a kettlebell.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,717,147 to Rochelle (FIG. 2) describes a weight liftingdevice which utilizes a post having a flange fixed to one end of thepost to form a base. The post and flange retain disc shaped weightscommonly used in weight lifting equipment. A bar is also employed as agripping mechanism and is rotatable in relation to the post and attachedflange.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,240 to Damm (FIG. 3) describes a hand held type armexercise device wherein the device is arranged to extend an individual'sarms permitting raising and lowering of a stack of weights or singleweight thereof mounted about a central rod, said central rod includes apivot axle, and the pivot axle includes a plurality of handle rods, suchthat pivoting of the handle rods from a first position substantiallyaligned with the central shaft to a second position substantiallyobliquely oriented to the central rod effects vertical movement of thecentral rod and the weights.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,157 to Lee (FIG. 4) describes an arm muscleexerciser includes a main stand, a base plate, two handles and severalweight discs; the upper part of the main stand is a smaller diametersection with a smaller outer diameter; the base plate is joined to thebottom of the main stand; each end of the two handles has an endpivotally attached to a respective one of a pair of parallel pivot axleson opposite sides of the upper part of the main stand such that theypivot symmetrically in a plane; in the weight disc is an accommodatinghole; at one side of the accommodating hole is an opening; the smallerdiameter section of the main stand may be inserted into theaccommodating hole through the opening, and slide down along the outerdiameter of the main stand to fall onto the base plate, so the baseplate will support an appropriate number of weight discs. Thisconstruction achieves such functions as to train arm muscles, to enablesimplified configuration, easy assembling process, lower productioncosts, convenient operational procedures, adjustable weights, and bettertraining efficiency, et

U.S. Pat. No. 7,141,002 to Connelly (FIG. 5) describes a weightliftingapparatus with a bar having a first and a second opposing end. A weighthaving a central aperture is dimensioned so that the bar can be passedthrough the aperture. The bar has an end cap having an outer dimensionlarger than that of the bar and the aperture, with the end cap beingsituated adjacent the first end of the bar. A clamp secures the weightto the bar adjacent the end cap. An aperture through the bar adjacentthe second end of the bar is provided for either pivotal or directattachment of the gripping plate. The gripping plate may be round,elliptical, continuously variable diameter, or irregular or othershapes. The gripping plate may be firm and flexible and have weightsbuilt into the plate itself.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,815,553 to Song (FIG. 6) describes a multi-functionalhealth machine which can improve a fixing power of a weight unit in thehealth machine which can temper various kinds of muscles such as musclesof the upper body and muscles of the waist and the legs, which preventsa connection portion of a support rod which can be selected according touser's physique from seceding due to rotation of a handle portion, andwhich can reduce a load which is applied to the wrist by making thehandle portion rotate according to rotation of the hands to thus make aweight portion placed in a straight line according to the gravitationalforce of the weight portion. The multi-functional health machineincludes: a handle portion on the outer sides of which a pair ofgrasping rods which a user can hold are respectively formed; a fixingportion to both sides of which the handle portion is fixed; a supportrod portion on the upper end of a support rod of which the center of thefixing portion is fixed perpendicularly with the handle portion fixed tothe fixing portion; and a weight portion in which a plumbing plate of aweight plumb is formed at the lower end of the support rod of thesupport rod portion.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/017445 (FIG. 7) toRobertson describes an adjustable exercise device includes a removablehandle, a extendible stacking pole and a base. The handle can be any ofa number of shapes for ergonomic control. The stacking pole is designedto hold typical round weightlifting discs in a stack on the base, whichis attached to the bottom of the stacking pole to both restrain theweights and serve as a platform base for the floor. The stacking pole isadjustable in length. The handle can be removed from the stacking poleby pulling a pin, thereby releasing the handle.

The prior art also shows a variety of resistance band exercises anddevices.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,041 (FIG. 8) to Fisher describes a multipurposeexercise device includes a stiff bar terminating in limb engagementmembers and a flexible element connected to the center of the bar,extending away from the bar and being provided with its own limbengagement members. The bar can be positioned so that it engages thefeet and the flexible member can be positioned to engage the hands orvice versa to perform a large array of exercises. Preferably theflexible member is elastic.

There does not appear to be any deadlift device on the market, so mostusers attempt the lifts and other exercises with a straight barbell asshown in prior art FIGS. 21 and 24.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, an improved deadlift device includes a cylindricalshaft having a lower end threaded onto a base. The cylindrical shaft isconfigured to accept one or more weights to be inserted onto the shaftand resting on the base. The cylindrical shaft has a plurality ofhorizontal channels, where each channel has a main horizontal throughhole with a downwardly extending keyhole slot extension. Both the mainholes and the keyhole slots have beveled edges so that portions of oneor more resistance bands may be routed through the keyhole slots andused with minimal wear. The main holes have a slightly larger diameterthan the diameter of a removable elongated bar which may be insertedinto any of the channels. In one example, the elongated bar has a lengthof approximately 10 inches or less so that the device may be used forkettlebell swing exercises. In other examples, the elongated bar islonger so that the user may grasp the bar with hands spaced below theuser's shoulders.

In another example, a removable handle with a grip may be secured to thetop end of the shaft. The combination of a lift bar and a handle permitthe deadlift device to be used effectively with a range of lift andwalking exercises using the deadlift device with added weights and/orone or more resistance bands.

In another example, a Y-lift handle with right and left side verticalupper sections and diagonal lower sections with may be secured to the toany of the shaft channels.

In another example, a plurality of interchangeable bases are provided indifferent weights, such as from 5 to 50 pounds. The user selects adesired base and attaches it to the shaft with a bolt or pin.

In another example, the base is provided as an adjustable weight stackwhere the user can select a desired weight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 (PRIOR ART) shows a device of U.S. Patent D653,715.

FIG. 2 (PRIOR ART) shows a device of U.S. Pat. No. 4,717,147.

FIG. 3 (PRIOR ART) shows a device of U.S. Pat. No. 5,496,240.

FIG. 4 (PRIOR ART) shows a device of U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,157.

FIG. 5 (PRIOR ART) shows a device of U.S. Pat. No. 7,141,002.

FIG. 6 (PRIOR ART) shows a device of U.S. Pat. No. 7,815,553.

FIG. 7 (PRIOR ART) shows a device of U.S. Patent Application PublicationNo. 2015/017445.)

FIG. 8 (PRIOR ART) shows a device of U.S. Pat. No. 5,776,041.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a deadlift device with a lift bar.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a deadlift device with a handle.

FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of a deadlift device with no attachedlift bar or handle.

FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of the deadlift device with a handleplaced on the shaft.

FIG. 13 is a front view of an example handle showing a handle attachmentsleeve, and a handle opening with grip portion.

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of a sleeve locking element and asleeve locking pin.

FIG. 15 is a side view of the top portion of a shaft showing the top ofthe shaft and the top hole

FIG. 16 is a front view of a deadlift device with weights stacked on thebase and a lift bar inserted through the second hole in the shaft.

FIG. 17 is a front view of a user in proper position to perform a liftwith deadlift device with weights.

FIG. 18 is a front view of a user in proper position to perform a liftwith deadlift device with weight and two resistance bands.

FIG. 19 is a front view of a user completing a lift with deadlift devicewith weight 63 and two resistance bands.

FIG. 20 is a side view of a user beginning a walking exercise with apair of deadlift devices.

FIG. 21 (PRIOR ART) is a side view of a prior art user beginning awalking exercise with a pair of long prior art devices.

FIG. 22 (PRIOR ART) shows stressful curvature on the spine 56 when thehead is forward and the back is bent as in FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a side view of a user maintaining a straight back whilebeginning a lift exercise with a deadlift device with weight andresistance band.

FIG. 24 (PRIOR ART) shows stressful curvature on the back of a user witha prior art barbell and weight.

FIG. 25A is a top view of an example base.

FIG. 25B is a cross section view of the example base of FIG. 25A

FIG. 26 is a side view of an example shaft.

FIG. 27 is a side view of an example lift bar.

FIG. 28 is a top view of a lift bar with a single shaft mounting pin.

FIG. 29 is a front view of the handle of FIG. 28 mounted on a shaft.

FIG. 30 is a side view of the handle of FIG. 28 mounted on a shaft 130as shown in FIG. 29.

FIG. 31 is a front view of a Y-lift handle.

FIG. 32 is a side perspective view of the Y-lift handle of FIG. 31mounted on a shaft.

FIG. 33 is a front perspective view of the Y-lift handle of FIG. 31mounted on a shaft.

FIG. 34 is a rear view of vertical upper sections of the Y-lift handleof FIG. 32 being grasped by a user's hands.

FIG. 35 is a rear view of the diagonal lower sections of the Y-lifthandle of FIG. 32 being grasped by a user's hands.

FIG. 36 is a bottom perspective view of an interchangeable base attachedto a shaft.

FIG. 37 is a front perspective view of an example adjustable weightstack base where a prior art dumbell has been adapted to attach to adeadlift device shaft.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following element list is provided for convenience in reviewing thefigures:

-   user 50-   head 51-   shoulders 52, 53-   back 54-   spine 56-   arms 58, 59-   hands 63, 64-   feet 70, 71-   Weights 60, 61, 62,-   Deadlift device 100, 101, 102-   Base 120-   floor protector 122-   central recess 123-   shaft attachment threads 124-   shaft weld 126 (not shown)-   interchangeable base 128-   shaft connection bolt 129-   main shaft 130-   handle mounting pin holes 131A, 131B, 131C-   external diameter 132-   top portion of shaft 140-   top of shaft 142-   rounded top 144-   bottom portion of shaft 150-   bottom of shaft 152-   base attachment threads 154-   overlapping thread lip locking element 156-   rubber pad 158-   first channel 160-   bottom portion of hole 161-   main through-hole 162-   beveled edge 163-   keyway slot 164-   beveled edge 165-   second channel 170-   bottom portion of hole 171-   main through-hole 172-   beveled edge 173-   keyway slot 174-   beveled edge 175-   third channel 180-   bottom portion of hole 181-   main through-hole 182-   beveled edge 183-   keyway slot 184-   beveled edge 185-   Handle 200-   handle opening 210-   grip portion 212-   handle attachment sleeve 240-   shaft mounting recess 242-   first side hole 244-   second side hole 246-   sleeve locking element 249-   sleeve locking pin 248-   Lift Bar 250-   first shaft mounting pin hole 220-   pin 222-   second shaft mounting pin hole 230-   pin 232-   Lift Bar 260-   shaft pin mounting hole 261-   shaft mounting pin 262-   grip knurling 264-   Y-lift Handle 270-   right side 272-   vertical upper portion 273-   diagonal lower portion 274-   left side 275-   vertical upper portion 276-   diagonal lower portion 277-   shaft mounting sleeve 278-   mounting bolt or pin 279-   adjustable weight stack base 290-   a weight selection element 292-   selected weight portion 294-   docking portion 296-   resistance band 300-   resistance band 310

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of a deadlift device 100 with a liftbar 250. In this example, a vertical main shaft 130 has a lower endthreaded into base 120. The main shaft has three channels 160, 170, and180 which may be used to insert the lift bar 250, or resistance bands(not shown). The lift bar is held in place by two lock pins 222 and 232positioned on either side of the vertical shaft. In this example, thelift bar is inserted through a selected channel with the lock pinsfacing down into the keyhole slot. Once centered, the lift bar isrotated so that the pins are upright.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a deadlift device 101 with ahandle 200. In this example, the vertical main shaft 130 has a lower endthreaded into base 120. The main shaft has three channels. The topchannel 160 (not labeled) is used to secure the handle, and the lowertwo channels 170 and 180 may be used to insert resistance bands. Thehandle is held in place by a sleeve locking element 249 and sleevelocking pin 248.

FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of a deadlift device 100 with noattached lift bar or handle. The top portion 140 of the shaft includes arounded top 144.

FIG. 12 is a side perspective view of the deadlift device 100 with ahandle 200 placed on shaft 130. The sleeve locking element 249 has notyet been inserted in the top channel 160.

FIG. 13 is a front view of an example handle 200 showing a handleattachment sleeve 240, a handle opening 210 with grip portion 212.

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of a sleeve locking element 249 and asleeve locking pin 248. In this example, the sleeve locking element is alarge pin having a head and a shaft diameter slightly less than thediameter of the top main through-hole 162 (FIG. 15).

FIG. 15 is a side view of the top portion of a shaft showing the top ofthe shaft 142, and the top hole 160. In this example, the top hole has amain through-hole 162 with a keyway slot 164 positioned on the bottom161 of the main through-hole. The main through-hole 162 has a bevelededge 163, and the keyway slot 164 has a beveled edge 163. The bevelededges reduce stresses on optional resistance bands as discussed below.

FIG. 16 is a front view of a deadlift device 100 with weights 60 and 61stacked on base 120, and lift bar 250 inserted through the secondchannel 170 in the shaft 130.

FIG. 17 is a front view of a user 50 in proper position to perform alift with deadlift device 100 with weights 60 and 61. In this position,the user maintains a straight back and positions shoulders 52 and 53,and arms 58 and 59, directly over the lift bar 250.

FIG. 18 is a front view of a user 50 in proper position to perform alift with deadlift device 100 with weight 63 and two resistance bands.In this example, a first resistance band loop 300 is pushed through thetop channel 160 in the deadlift device 100, and ends of the loop areheld by the user's feet 70 and 71. A second resistance band loop 310 ispushed through the bottom hole 180 in the deadlift device 100, and endsof the loop are held by the user's feet 70 and 71.

FIG. 19 is a front view of a user 50 completing a lift with deadliftdevice 100 with weight 63 and two resistance bands. In this example,both resistance bands 300 and 310 are directed through the bottomchannel 180 in the device shaft.

FIG. 20 is a side view of a user 50 beginning a walking exercise with apair of deadlift devices 101 and 102. The user is able to maintain astraight back 54 and head 51.

FIG. 21 (PRIOR ART) is a side view of a prior art user beginning awalking exercise with a pair of long prior art devices. The extendedlength of the prior art devices causes the user's head 51 to pushforward and back 54 to bend. Prior to the deadlift device, the only wayto deadlift weight off the ground was to use a straight barbell. Sinceusing a straight barbell is sometimes difficult to use for lifters ofsmaller stature, this invention allows for lifters of all shapes, ages,and sizes to use and allows the lifter to perform the deadlift properly.

FIG. 22 (PRIOR ART) shows stressful curvature on the spine 56 when thehead is forward and the back is bent as in FIG. 21.

The deadlift devices permit the user to maintain an erect posture duringthis walking exercise. By contrast FIG. 21 (PRIOR ART) shows a userattempting to use handles on traditional long barbells. In this examplethe user does not maintain proper posture, and has a head-forwardposition causing stress on his bent spine.

FIG. 23 is a side view of a user maintaining a straight back 54 whilebeginning a lift exercise with a deadlift device with weight andresistance band.

FIG. 24 (PRIOR ART) shows stressful curvature on the back 54 of a userwith a prior art barbell and weight. Many lifters do not perform thedeadlift properly because they don't want to scrape their shins andthighs, resulting in poor form; thus resulting in injury. Also, using astraight barbell can be intimidating and sometimes is too heavy andbulky for new lifters.

FIGS. 25A-27 show a second embodiment of a deadlift device. FIG. 25A isa top view of an example base. FIG. 25B is a cross section view of theexample base of FIG. 25A

FIG. 26 is a side view of an example shaft. FIG. 27 is a side view of anexample lift bar.

When performing the deadlift, whether it is sumo style, conventionalstyle, or Romanian style is hard to perform with proper form. This liftcan cause the user serious injury if not performed properly, but isdifficult to properly perform due to all the steps needed to ensure thelift is done correctly. The embodiments described herein make it mucheasier to perform exercises with proper form.

The “Perfect Deadlift Bar” forces the user to keep the weight that isbeing lifting properly aligned with the human body, keeps the weightbeing lifted centered with the spine, and allows the lifter to lift theentire weight off the ground, or carry the device and weights, withoutpushing the weight away from the body. When the weight being lifted ispushed away from the body, that motion causes serious strain on thespine and back, resulting in serious injury. This bar eliminates all ofthat, thus resulting in a perfect lift every time the bar is used.

The deadlift device permits all lifters to perform the deadlift withproper form. The bar design also allows for resistance bands to fit inthe desired slots, so both weights and/or resistance bands can be used.The beveled keyhole slots permit insertion of one or more resistancebands at each desired location, and both bands and a lift bar can beinserted into the same hole on the shaft.

base

In one example, the base is fabricated from Aluminum 60-61 material toprovide a lightweight device with the capability to lift over 300pounds. The base has a smooth finish on the bottom where a 1/16″recycled rubber with a permanent adhesive is placed as a floorprotector. In this example, the bottom of the shaft screws intothreading in the center of the base. Other shaft attachment methods maybe used, including welding.

In other examples, the base may be made of regular carbon steel or othermaterials.

interchangeble base

FIG. 36 is a bottom perspective view of an interchangeable base 128attached to shaft 130 with a shaft connection bolt 129 or provided inthe center of the base. The user may select from a plurality of bases,each having different weight, and then removably attach the desired baseto the shaft with the shaft connection bolt 129, or other attachmentmeans such as screwing a threaded base onto a threaded shaft.

adjustable weight stack base

In another example, the base is provided as an adjustable weight stackwhere the user can select a desired weight, such as by inserting one ormore pin or clip at a desired location which permits the shaft to left aportion of the base weights from the adjustable weight stack. In oneexample, a first base weight can be selected in a range of 5 to 50pounds. After an exercise, the user lowers the base back onto theadjustable weight stack so that another base weight may be selected forthe next exercise.

An example adjustable weight stack base 290 is shown in FIG. 37 where aprior art PowerBlock™ dumbell has been adapted to attach to a deadliftdevice shaft 130. In this example, the user positions a weight selectionelement 292 at a desired location corresponding to 5 to 50 pounds ofweight in 5 pound increments. The weight selection element 292 permitsthe selected weight portion 294 to be lifted from the docking portion296.

In other examples, different weight ranges and increments may be used,and alternative weight selection elements may be provided.

main shaft

In one example, the main shaft is fabricated from Aluminum 60-61material,and has a diameter of 2 inches. The overall length is 14.5inches. The top of the shaft has a flat smooth finish with a 1/10 radiusin order to prevent the user from cutting a hand or other body part. Thepurpose of the flat finish with 1/10 radius is also to accommodate thehandle attachment. The bottom of the shaft will also have threading, toscrew into the base. When screwed all the way on, the last thread willoverlap the bottom of the base to serve as a locking mechanism. Thiswill prevent the shaft from being pulled out of the base, and serves asan additional safety measure. This “overlapping thread lip” will not beseen by the user, as it will have the rubber pad covering it.

In one example, the main shaft has 3 holes, each with a keyway slotmachined through the entire shaft. The hole has a 1 inch diameter permita 1 inch diameter handle to slide through. The bottom of the hole tapersto a ½″ in length and ¾″ in width keyway slot.

The keyway slot has a 1/10 radius (termed a “bevel” in thisspecification. The purpose of the keyway slot is to also allow forresistance bands to slide perfectly through the shaft. The bands can beused in place of weights, or in conjunction with weights. The bands willalso serve as a great teaching tool for people who have never liftedbefore.

In other examples, the shaft or base may be made of regular carbon steelor other materials. In other examples, the shaft may have a non-circularcross section.

In some examples, a hollow shaft may be molded or cast, and theelongated handle may be stored in the hollow shaft.

lift bar

In one example, the main shaft is fabricated from Aluminum 60-61material with an overall length of 12 inches and a 1 inch diameter. Theends of the handle are flat with a smooth finish, and a 1/10 radius. Thelift bar has a course ping finish to provide a comfortable grip.

Two holes will be drilled all the way through the lift bar, and willhave 2 pins pressed through. The purpose of the pins are to hold thelift bar in place, while in use. The pins will prevent the handle fromsliding out in either direction.

short lift bar

FIG. 28 is a top view of a lift bar 260 with a single shaft mounting pin262. In this example, the lift bar has a length of about 10 inches. Thelift bar has only one drilled hole in the center for a single shaftmounting pin 262, and has grip knurling 264 on both ends.

The shorter 10 inch length permits kettlebell swing exercises, with thedevice less likely to hit the user in between the legs.

By having one drilled hole directly in the center, the handle may besecurely lock in place without rotation so that the user can now use theT-Bell for swings in an overhead motion. The user can now slide thehandle in the desired main shaft slot, then securely lock in place byusing a standard cotter pin. The ball point at the end of cotter pinprevents the pin from sliding out, and securely keeps the pin locked inplace.

The knurled handles provide extra grip for the user, and makes thedevice more user friendly. The knurling prevents the hands from slippingas sweat gets on the handle, and serves as an extra safety feature.

FIG. 29 is a front view of the handle of FIG. 28 mounted on a shaft 130.In this example, three lift bar mounting pin holes 131A, 131B, 131C areprovided, and the handle is secured in the top lift bar mounting pinhole 131A.

FIG. 30 is a side view of the handle of FIG. 28 mounted on a shaft 130as shown in FIG. 29.

Handle

In one example, the handle is fabricated from Aluminum 60-61 material.The handle attachment is machined in 2 sections. The first section issleeve that will fit and slide on top of the main shaft. A 1 inch holeis drilled on each side of the sleeve. The holes on the sleeve line upwith the top hole on the main shaft.

The hand grip will have a rounded square finish, or round circularfinish. The hand grip portion will also have a coarse ping finish forgrip, or machined grooves for finger placement. The top of the sleevewill have an indention to where the bottom of the hand grip can sit in.Then, it will be welded together to make one piece. This entire handleattachment may also be cast in one complete piece. A pin will bemachined separately. This pin will slide all the way through the handleattachment and main shaft. It will have a hole drilled on the end wherea locking pin can slide through and keep the pin from sliding out of themain shaft.

Y-lift Handle

FIG. 31 is a front view of a Y-lift handle 270 comprising a right side272 and a left side 275. FIG. 32 is a side perspective view of theY-lift handle 270 mounted on a shaft 130. In this example, the Y-lifthandle is mounted by inserting the bolt or pin 279 through a secondchannel 170 (not labeled) on the shaft. The handle may be raised bysecuring it in the first channel 160 as shown in FIG. 33. The handle maybe lowered by securing it in the third channel 180. FIG. 33 is a frontperspective view of the Y-lift handle 270 mounted on the shaft 130. Inthis example, the Y-lift handle is mounted by inserting the bolt or pin279 through a first channel 160 on the shaft. The handle may be loweredas shown in FIG. 33 by securing it in the second channel 170, or furtherlowered by securing it in the third channel 180.

This handle slides up and down the main shaft of the T-Bell, and can belocked in place on any on the slots; that slot placement is the user'spreference. This attachment serves as a “landmine” replacement, and isconsidered to be a “free weight landmine”. The pictures how the handleattachment to be locked in place with a bolt and screw, but that is onlyfor prototype purposes. The finished product will lock in place with alocking pin and cotter pin, not a bolt and screw. There are two ways togrip the handle: one is on the angled section, and the other is on thetop straight section. The gripping placement depends on the user andwhat drill is being performed.

This handle attachment makes the overall T-Bell more versatile, andallows for countless explosive drills to be performed.

FIG. 34 is a rear view of the right vertical upper section 273 of theY-lift handle 270 being grasped by a user's first hand 63, and leftvertical upper section 276 being grasped by the user's second hand hand64.

FIG. 35 is a rear view of the right diagonal lower section 273 of theY-lift handle 270 being grasped by a user's first hand 63, and leftdiagonal lower section 276 being grasped by the user's second hand 64.

Rehab Benefits

Because the weight is centered in line with body, the weight is centeredon the hip structure itself; and the outer extremities don't work ashard like they would with a standard long barbell. Due to the design ofthis device, the bio mechanics now allow for an individual with a badback and bad knees to lift up the weight from the ground up, having thesame effect with a standard barbell; but makes it pain free. By usingthe device t, an individual with injuries can still work the hips, theglutes, the back, the lower back, and the inner and external obliques;safely and effectively.

other advantages

The device is an effective tool for teaching proper form, as well assafety to those with limited lifting experience. It is hard to teachlifting methods from the ground up, and the deadlift device helps teachproper techniques.

Use of the deadlift device develops the posterior chain. The posteriorchain is a group of muscles consisting predominantly of tendons andligaments on the posterior of the body. Examples of these musclesinclude the biceps femoris, gluteus maximus, erector spinae musclegroup, trapezius, and posterior deltoids.

The deadlift device serves as a progression and regression tool. It doesnot eliminate the barbell, but adding a progression tool leading up tothe barbell; and regression tool from people that are injured and notable to use standard barbell.

The compact design takes up very little space, so it is good for grouptraining settings and also field work.

The design of the lifting bar makes it a good tool for grip strengthtraining. Single finger, double finger, and triple finger deadlifts cannow be performed with the device; resulting in an effective, and safeworkout.

The handle attachment allows for many variations of endurance training;resulting on less pounding and stress on my athletes knees and joints”.The device allows for maximum heart rate workouts and is a good cardiotool.

The deadlift device design keeps the weight in line with the center ofgravity, creating a safe and effective workout. The design of thelifting bar allows for any sized hands to fit properly, thus notresulting in narrowed hand placement, rolled shoulders, and upper backdiscomfort such as the kettle bell.

It is to be understood that the specific embodiments and examplesdescribed above are by way of illustration, and not limitation. Variousmodifications may be made by one of ordinary skill, and the scope of theinvention is as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A deadlift device comprising a first base, avertically-oriented shaft comprising a bottom end portion connected tothe base, a top end portion comprising a top edge, and a plurality ofhorizontal channels located between the top end and the bottom end, eachhorizontal channel comprising a bottom portion, a mainhorizontally-oriented cylindrical through-hole having the same diameteras the other horizontally-oriented cylindrical through holes, and akeyhole slot extending downwardly from the bottom portion; and aremovable lift bar assembly comprising a locking pin or bolt, a lift barcomprising a sleeve configured to slide over the vertically-orientedshaft, the sleeve having a first hole, and a second hole,diametrically-opposed to the first hole, such that the locking pin orbolt is partially insertable through the first hole, through any one ofthe horizontally-oriented cylindrical through-holes, and through thesecond hole in order to secure the sleeve to the vertically-orientedshaft, a left side and a right side, each comprising a vertical uppershaft having an upper end and a lower portion, and a diagonal shaftextending from the sleeve to the lower portion of the side verticalupper shaft.
 2. The deadlift device of claim 1 further comprising aremovable handle attachable to the proximal end of thevertically-oriented cylindrical shaft, the removable handle comprising ahandle opening, and a handle attachment sleeve comprising a shaftmounting recess configured to overlap the top end portion of thevertically-oriented cylindrical shaft, and a sleeve locking element. 3.The deadlift device of claim 2 wherein the handle opening furthercomprises a grip portion.
 4. The deadlift device of claim 1 wherein thehandle attachment sleeve further comprises a first side hole, and asecond side hole.
 5. The deadlift device of claim 1 wherein the sleevelocking element further comprises a sleeve locking pin.
 6. The deadliftdevice of claim 1 wherein the main horizontally-oriented cylindricalthrough hole of each horizontal channel comprises a beveled edge; andkeyhole slot of each horizontal hole comprises a beveled edge.
 7. Thedeadlift device of claim 1 further comprising an elongated lift barhaving a length of about 10 inches and a circular cross section with adiameter matched to the main horizontally-oriented cylindrical throughhole diameters; such that the elongated lift bar is configured to beinserted through any of the horizontally-oriented cylindrical throughholes.
 8. (canceled)
 9. (canceled)
 10. The deadlift device of claim 1further comprising a plurality of detachable bases of different weights,each of the plurality of detachable bases configured to be attached tothe vertically-oriented shaft.
 11. A deadlift system comprising adeadlift device comprising a base, a vertically-oriented cylindricalshaft comprising a bottom end portion connected to the base, a top endportion comprising a top edge, an external diameter, and a plurality ofhorizontal channels located between the top end and the bottom end, eachchannel comprising a top portion, a main horizontally-orientedcylindrical through hole, and a keyhole slot in the top portion, and aremovable lift bar assembly comprising a locking pin or bolt, a lift barcomprising a first end and a second end, and a sleeve configured toslide over the vertically-oriented shaft, the sleeve having a firsthole, and a second hole, diametrically-opposed to the first hole, suchthat the locking pin or bolt is partially insertable through the firsthole, through any one of the horizontally-oriented cylindricalthrough-holes, and through the second hole in order to secure the sleeveto the vertically-oriented shaft, a left side and a right side, eachcomprising a vertical upper shaft having an upper end and a lowerportion, and a diagonal shaft extending from the sleeve to the lowerportion of the side vertical upper shaft; and a first resistance band.12. The deadlift system of claim 11 further comprising a removablehandle attachable to the proximal end of the vertically-orientedcylindrical shaft, the removable handle comprising a handle opening, anda handle attachment sleeve comprising a shaft mounting recess configuredto overlap the top end portion of the vertically-oriented cylindricalshaft, and a sleeve locking element.
 13. (canceled)
 14. The deadliftsystem of claim llfurther comprising a set of resistance bands having arange of resistance.
 15. A method of performing deadlift exercises withresistance, the method comprising providing a deadlift device comprisinga base, a vertically-oriented cylindrical shaft comprising a bottom endportion connected to the base, a top end portion comprising a top edge,an external diameter, and a plurality of horizontal channels locatedbetween the top end and the bottom end, each channel comprising a topportion, a main horizontally-oriented cylindrical through hole, and akeyhole slot in the top portion, and a removable lift bar assemblycomprising a locking pin or bolt, a lift bar comprising a sleeveconfigured to slide over the vertically-oriented shaft, the sleevehaving a first hole, and a second hole, diametrically-opposed to thefirst hole, such that the locking pin or bolt is partially insertablethrough the first hole, through any one of the horizontally-orientedcylindrical through-holes, and through the second hole in order tosecure the sleeve to the vertically-oriented shaft, a left side and aright side, each comprising a vertical upper shaft having an upper endand a lower portion, and a diagonal shaft extending from the sleeve tothe lower portion of the side vertical upper shaft; selecting aresistance; and performing one or more exercises with the handle. 16.The method of claim 15 further comprising providing a removableelongated lift bar for the deadlift device; inserting the elongated liftbar into a channel; and performing one or more exercises with the liftbar.
 17. The method of claim 15 wherein selecting a resistance furthercomprises providing a plurality of detachable bases of differentweights; selecting one of the plurality of detachable bases; andattaching the selected one of the plurality of detachable bases to thevertically-oriented shaft.
 18. The method of claim 15 wherein selectinga resistance further comprises selecting a channel on thevertically-oriented cylindrical shaft; and routing a first resistanceband through the selected channel.
 19. The method of claim 17 whereinselecting a resistance further comprises routing a first resistance bandthrough one of the plurality of horizontal channels.
 20. The method ofclaim 18 further comprising teaching proper deadlift exercise techniquesby using the deadlift device with a resistance band rather than addedweight.
 21. The deadlift device of claim 1 wherein the first basefurther comprises an adjustable weight stack base; and a weightselection element.
 22. The deadlift system of claim 11 furthercomprising an elongated lift bar having a length of about 10 inches anda circular cross section with a diameter matched to the mainhorizontally-oriented cylindrical through hole diameters; such that theelongated lift bar is configured to be inserted through any of thehorizontally-oriented cylindrical through holes.
 23. The deadlift systemof claim 11 wherein the base further comprises an adjustable weightstack base; and a weight selection element.